ORDER FOR ADOPTION EVALUATION

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the court shall order the performance of an adoption evaluation to evaluate each party who requests termination of the parent-child relationship or an adoption in a suit for: (1) termination of the parent-child relationship in which a person other than a parent may be appointed managing conservator of a child; or (2) an adoption. (a-1) In a suit for adoption that is uncontested, the court may waive the requirement under Subsection (a) for the performance of an adoption evaluation of the prospective adoptive parent if: (1) the prospective adoptive parent is a stepparent of the child; and (2) the court has reviewed investigative records of the department and any criminal history record information maintained by the Department of Public Safety relating to the prospective adoptive parent. (b) The adoption evaluation required under Subsection (a) must include an evaluation of the circumstances and the condition of the home and social environment of any person requesting to adopt a child who is at issue in the suit. (c) The court may appoint a qualified individual, a qualified private entity, or a domestic relations office to conduct the adoption evaluation. (d) Except as provided by Section 107.155, a person who conducts an adoption evaluation must meet the requirements of Section 107.154. (e) The costs of conducting an adoption evaluation required under Subsection (a) or reviewing investigative records of the department and criminal history record information maintained by the Department of Public Safety under Subsection (a-1), as applicable, shall be paid by the prospective adoptive parent.